Keen anglers from around the region will pack into Googong on Saturday to get a bite of the inaugural Googong Fishing Fair. The free event will be an opportunity for people to pick up tips off the experts and check out all the latest fishing gear on display. The highlight of the event will be celebrity fisherman Rob Paxevanos and Canberra fishing expert Roman Dicovski teaming up and sharing their catch with renowned Indigenous chef Mark Olive. The men are joining forces to show what can be done with the local fish available in Googong Dam with the correct knowledge. Canberra businessman Kane Hardy will be featuring his range of plastic, electric-powered boats that he hopes will be available for hire on Googong Dam next summer. Mr Hardy said the three metre dinghies were more stable than a kayak and meet the environmental requirement of the dam where petrol engines are banned. “I love going out on Googong Dam because the water is so clean,” Mr Hardy said. “The Redfin are fighters, so it’s good sport, and they’re a pest so you’re encouraged to take them home to eat. “The hire business will give everyone a chance to experience that without having to own their own boat.” Mr Hardy said the idea was getting a lot of community support and that fishing was a great activity to do individually, as a couple or as a group and he hoped the business could open this up to many more people. Googong project director Malcolm Leslie said the dam was one of the few drinking water reservoirs where fishing was allowed. He said the fair was an opportunity to educate people on the environmental significance of the area. “One of the exciting things about living at Googong is having all this natural beauty right on the doorstep,” Mr Leslie said. “It’s a real privilege and we want everyone to know how to enjoy it and protect it for the future.” He added the event would highlight the important Aboriginal heritage of the area. The event will feature plenty of family activities and food for those who might not be overly keen anglers. The fair is at Beltana Park on Saturday, April 14 from 11am to 2pm.

Fishing royalty heading to Googong Fishing Fair

Kane and Amanda Hardy with twins Lincoln and Riley (2), and babies Beau and Harry (4 months). The family hope their line of plastic boats will be available for rent on Googong Dam. Photo: Supplied

Keen anglers from around the region will pack into Googong on Saturday to get a bite of the inaugural Googong Fishing Fair.

The free event will be an opportunity for people to pick up tips off the experts and check out all the latest fishing gear on display.

The highlight of the event will be celebrity fisherman Rob Paxevanos and Canberra fishing expert Roman Dicovski teaming up and sharing their catch with renowned Indigenous chef Mark Olive.

The men are joining forces to show what can be done with the local fish available in Googong Dam with the correct knowledge.

Canberra businessman Kane Hardy will be featuring his range of plastic, electric-powered boats that he hopes will be available for hire on Googong Dam next summer.

Mr Hardy said the three metre dinghies were more stable than a kayak and meet the environmental requirement of the dam where petrol engines are banned.

“I love going out on Googong Dam because the water is so clean,” Mr Hardy said.

“The Redfin are fighters, so it’s good sport, and they’re a pest so you’re encouraged to take them home to eat.

“The hire business will give everyone a chance to experience that without having to own their own boat.”

Mr Hardy said the idea was getting a lot of community support and that fishing was a great activity to do individually, as a couple or as a group and he hoped the business could open this up to many more people.

Googong project director Malcolm Leslie said the dam was one of the few drinking water reservoirs where fishing was allowed. He said the fair was an opportunity to educate people on the environmental significance of the area.

“One of the exciting things about living at Googong is having all this natural beauty right on the doorstep,” Mr Leslie said.

“It’s a real privilege and we want everyone to know how to enjoy it and protect it for the future.”

He added the event would highlight the important Aboriginal heritage of the area.

The event will feature plenty of family activities and food for those who might not be overly keen anglers.